By the Caribbean Journal staff

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Ricky Quamina, who sent in this stunning shot of twilight in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas in the USVI.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo.

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: The Sea in St Thomas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

What is almost certainly the most anticipated reopening of 2019 will be happening earlier than expected.

The long-awaited return of The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas is set for Nov. 22, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The reinvigorated resort’s debut is actually earlier than had been announced; the leading USVI resort had been slated to debut Dec. 1, 2019.

That means the property will be open for Thanksgiving, which will come with a full-fledged celebration of the national holiday, from Thanksgiving Sorrel welcome cocktails to Thanksgiving-inspired dinner cruises.

The new-look pool.

The resort, which shuttered in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, had long been the leading luxury hotel in St Thomas and among the most renowned resorts in the United States Virgin Islands.

The property has undergone what parent company Marriott is calling an “extensive renovation” to the entire property — to the tune of $100 million.

What a room will look like at the new-look Ritz-Carlton St Thomas.

The changes reveal “a refined, island-inspired experience” with a “new era of refinement,” according to a company description.

The reimagined resort includes four eateries, including a new Sicilian restaurant called Alllro; a remodeled infinity pool along with a new family-friendly pool with a water slide; a new luxury catamaran for daily cruises and tours; and a transformed club lounge.

Inside a new bathroom at the resort.

Other amenities include daily rum tastings, daily use of non-motorized watersports, tennis courts and even “resort garden” tours.

Ritz-Carlton has now released the newest images of the resort’s upgraded rooms, featuring a bright, cool, modern-tropical aesthetic.

The resort’s return will be part of a busy month for the USVI’s hotel sector; in the first quarter of 2020, the venerable Renaissance St Croix resort will be opening its doors, too.

For more, visit the Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas.

— CJ

The post The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas Is Opening in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… JUAN, Puerto Rico — A federal control panel that oversees Puerto Rico’s … tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans left their island to … weak as evidenced by Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority … move that Puerto Rico’s government has opposed. Puerto Rico’s public …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Canadian low-cost carrier Swoop is adding a new destination: Los Cabos.

Swoop is launching two new routes to Los Cabos in November; that will include thrice-weekly service from Edmonton International Airport to Los Cabos, and twice-weekly flights from Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

The Edmonton-Los Cabos flights will start Nov. 2, while the Winnipeg flights will launch Nov. 17, according to the company.

Swoop said its network would include 28 “winter getaway” routes for the upcoming peak winter season. including in the Caribbean-Mexico region.

“The 2019 winter schedule adds Los Cabos and expands service at existing domestic locations,” said Steven Greenway, President of Swoop. “This past year we’ve learned that our network is solid and now we’re tweaking it using our next three planned aircraft deliveries. Our travelers have been asking for more sun-service and we have responded by adding routes from Winnipeg, Edmonton and London, Ontario.”

Swoop said it was maintaining its growth plan, with plans to take delivery of an additional three Boeing 737NG 800s by the end of this year.

— CJ

The post Swoop Is Launching Los Cabos Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Two aviation power players are about to start working together in a big way — and one that could have a significant impact on air travel in the Americas.

Delta Air Lines and Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group have entered into a strategic partnership that the two carriers said would “combine the strengths of each airline.”

Together, the two airlines will serve 435 destinations worldwide.

“This transformative partnership with LATAM will bring together our leading global brands, enabling us to provide the very best service and reliability for travelers to, from and throughout the Americas,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Our people, customers, owners and communities will all benefit from this exciting platform for future growth.”

The strategic partnership will “unlock new growth opportunities,” building upon Delta’s and LATAM’s global footprint and joint ventures worldwide, including Delta’s existing partnership with Aeroméxico.

“This alliance with Delta strengthens our company and enhances our leadership in Latin America by providing the best connectivity through our highly complementary route networks,” said Enrique Cueto Plaza, chief executive officer of LATAM. “We look forward to working alongside one of the world’s best airlines to enhance the travel experience for our passengers.”

With their complementary networks, Delta, LATAM and their partners will be able to offer access to a greatly expanded array of flights to worldwide destinations, they said.

Within the terms of the partnership, Detla will invest $1.9 billion for a 20 percent stake in LATAM.

Delta will also invest $350 million to support the establishment of the strategic partnership, it said.

Delta will acquire four A350 aircraft from LATAM and has agreed to assume LATAM’s commitment to purchase 10 additional A350 aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2020 through 2025, supporting Delta’s ongoing fleet transformation.

Delta will be represented on LATAM’s Board of Directors.

— CJ

The post Delta, LATAM Enter into Strategic Partnership appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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